Last-mile Testing Programme Cohort 2 Demo Day
The Last-Mile Testing Programme (“LMTP”), organised by Hysan Development Company Limited (“Hysan”) in partnership with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (“HKSTP”), today concluded its second edition with a Demo Day. The Demo Day showcased the innovative solutions of three shortlisted start-ups under the themes of Smart Living and Smart Sustainability. Hysan and HKSTP, which have been working in partnership since 2022, organised the LMTP as the backbone of The Community Lab, which helps start-ups refine their proof-of-concept (“PoC”) ideas and have them validated by end users in live business and industry environments ahead of full deployment.
The shortlisted start-ups in the second cohort of the LMTP were Albacastor Technology Limited (“Albacastor Technology”), Immune Materials and Palmeco Tech, each of which demonstrated the potential of their concepts for contributing towards the Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint via different real-life industry scenarios. Albacastor Technology conducted a test at Hysan Place’s food court of its UVent Smart Ventilation System, which provides enhanced odour control through advanced air treatment methods. Immune Materials introduced its patented self-disinfecting vegan leather, which is being tested as a material for the public furniture at Lee Garden Two for a safer and more hygienic community environment. In response to the growing demand for retail pop-up shops, Palmeco Tech had their first trial using the reusable Palmeco Master Board to build a white box in shopping malls as an eco-friendly solution for temporary retail spaces.
The partnership between Hysan and HKSTP has the goal of establishing a foundation for a future smart city in Hong Kong via the core values of Smart Living and Smart Sustainability. As a business incubator for a growing innovation ecosystem, HKSTP facilitates innovation through its vast pool of start-ups. Hysan, with its real estate and retail assets concentrated in the Lee Gardens Area, provides an ideal living lab for HKSTP’s tech ventures to test drive their PoCs in real-life scenarios, right in the heart of Hong Kong.
In addition to providing an authentic setting for testing and fine-tuning their PoCs, the LMTP platform offers an opportunity for the three HKSTP’s start-ups to acquire domain knowledge in real estate from Hysan’s mentors. As a result, the start-ups found that their PoCs were indeed marketable and explored new business opportunities for further development. As Hysan continues to help PoCs become commercially viable in the Lee Gardens Area, The Community Lab will help identify and connect different end users in the market and utilise successful PoCs as case studies.
1. Albacastor Technology – Effective odour control with UVC
PoC tested:
The PoC tested the effectiveness of their IoT-integrated odour control technology, which includes ultraviolet C and photocatalyst technology. They bridged the perception-data gap by correlating air quality emission data with human perception of odour, focusing on food-related environments. Hysan Place’s food court served as the testing ground for their innovative solution.
Community benefits:
The positive testing results confirmed the system’s effectiveness in controlling odour and improving air quality by managing emissions from food exhaust. This indicates promising potential to enhance the overall ambient air quality for the community. The integration of IoT technology allows real-time air quality monitoring, empowering F&B owners to proactively manage their air exhaust. Furthermore, the system’s capability to establish a stronger scientific correlation between air quality data and human perception of odour provides valuable insights for effective odour control strategies.
2. Immune Materials – Antiviral vegan leather technology for high-touch surfaces
PoC tested:
As a PoC, a long-lasting, self-disinfecting vegan leather furniture upholstery with antiviral technology was applied to high-touch surfaces in Lee Garden Two. By incorporating this innovative solution, the surfaces were provided with continuous protection against viruses, demonstrating the potential of the technology to enhance hygiene and safety in public spaces.
Community benefits:
In the context of maintaining hygiene standards and reducing the risk of contact transmission of infectious diseases, this technology demonstrates the potential of creating safer environments for users in various public spaces. The positive results from the trial showcased its high potential for broader applications in public spaces or areas with high traffic, as well as in settings that demand stringent hygiene standards. The solution offers the added benefit of reducing resources required for maintaining hygiene, contributing to efficiency and cost savings.
3. Palmeco Tech – Flexible, eco-friendly retail pop-ups
PoC tested:
The PoC involved testing a white box pop-up shop on Hysan Place’s retail floor, measuring 4m x 3m (12 sqm) to showcase a more efficient, straightforward and streamlined process enabled by Palmeco’s environmentally friendly, palm-based natural materials and modular designs. The modular components of the pop-up shop can be reused, further promoting sustainability and waste reduction.
Community benefits:
The traditional shop refurbishment method often entails extensive manpower and on-site wet trades, resulting in inefficient and time-consuming processes. This approach also generates a significant amount of waste upon the end of use. Palmeco’s white box pop-up shop solution offers an improved approach to shop refurbishment that prioritises both flexibility and sustainability. The utilisation of modular panels is anticipated to significantly reduce time and labour costs, accelerating the refurbishment process. Furthermore, Palmeco’s environmentally friendly material promotes a more sustainable construction industry and a more circular economy.
